The methodology design is one of the more difficult decisions you have to make regarding needs assessments or program evaluations because often practitioners do not have a solid understanding of the different types of methodologies that can be used when conducting either of these. It is also difficult because standardized measurement tools don’t always measure what we need them to measure. For example, with a needs assessment, you will have a hard time finding a measurement tool that identifies the needs of your target population or target problem. When possible, it is good to incorporate standardized measures (more important in evaluation methodologies), but it may be necessary to also create your own measurement tools. Needs Assessments and Program Evaluations will use qualitative methods, quantitative methods, and in many cases mixed methods (using both qualitative and quantitative methods). Questionnaires (Qualitative, Quantitative, Mixed Methods) Surveys (Qualitative, Quantitative, Mixed Methods) Face-to-Face Interviews (Qualitative) Focus Groups (Qualitative) Delphi Method (Qualitative survey in which community leaders/experts rank their responses) Among many other examples In this assignment, you will need to research different methodologies you could use to conduct a program evaluation for the program you developed in the first half of this class and researched in CFSD 624 Program Development for Families and Communities. Keep in mind that next week you will be discussing measurement tools and identifying whether you will use standardized measurement tools, non-standardized measurement tools, or a combination and why. Specific Requirements: Initial Post Develop a PowerPoint Presentation in which you describe the following: Identify and describe one quantitative method you are interested in implementing for your program evaluation. Include why you would choose this method for your program. Identify and describe one qualitative method you are interested in implementing for your program evaluation. Include why you would choose this method for your program. Identify and describe a mixed methodology you might use in implementing your program evaluation. Include why you would choose this method for your program.
